Cristiano Ronaldo faces danger as historic 15-year hat-trick streak hangs in the balance

Cristiano Ronaldo may have been on the scoresheet twice, but the Portuguese superstar left the pitch visibly furious after a controversial decision denied him a historic hat-trick and put a remarkable personal streak under threat.

During Al Nassr’s commanding 3–0 win over Al Akhdoud, Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had completed another treble—something he has managed at least once every year since 2010. The goal would have marked his seventh hat-trick in the Saudi Pro League and preserved a 15-year run that has defined his legendary consistency.

Instead, VAR intervened.

Ronaldo’s third strike, a clinical finish from a pinpoint cross, was chalked off after officials ruled that Sultan Al-Ghannam was marginally offside in the build-up. As the decision was confirmed, cameras caught Ronaldo with his arms stretched wide, shouting in disbelief toward the officials as play resumed behind him. The reaction was raw, emotional, and unmistakably intense—even by Ronaldo’s standards.

The frustration was understandable. The 39-year-old had already set himself up perfectly for another milestone, scoring in the 31st minute before adding his second deep into first-half stoppage time. Those goals—his 39th and 40th of the year—kept Al Nassr firmly in control and extended the club’s winning run to a record 10 straight victories, maintaining a perfect record at the top of the table.

But for Ronaldo, the bigger picture loomed. Since 2010, he has scored at least one hat-trick every calendar year, a staggering feat of longevity and elite performance. With the denied goal, he now has just one remaining opportunity in 2025 to keep that streak alive—Al Nassr’s final fixture of the year against Al Ettifaq on December 30.

Adding an emotional layer to the moment was the presence of Nani in the stands. The former winger shared some of the most successful years of his career with Ronaldo at Manchester United between 2007 and 2009, winning both the Premier League and Champions League together. The duo also represented Portugal at World Cups and European Championships, combining for 14 goals across 130 matches as teammates.

It was in front of his old friend that Ronaldo’s anger boiled over—a moment that underlined just how much these personal milestones still matter to him. After the match, Nani was seen leaving the stadium holding Ronaldo’s shirt, later sharing photos of the pair together on social media, a reminder of the bond forged through years of shared success.

Despite Ronaldo’s visible rage, Al Nassr remained professional and ruthless. The team added a late fourth-minute-of-stoppage-time goal through Joao Félix to seal the result, ensuring the controversy didn’t derail their momentum. Still, Ronaldo’s mood told a different story. Even in victory, the denied hat-trick overshadowed the night for the game’s most driven competitor.

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For many players nearing 40, two goals in a dominant league win would be more than enough. For Ronaldo, it wasn’t. His reaction served as a reminder of the standards he holds himself to—and the relentless hunger that has fueled his career for over two decades.

Now, all eyes turn to Al Nassr’s final match of the year. One game remains for Ronaldo to preserve a streak that symbolizes not just scoring brilliance, but unmatched durability at the highest level. Whether he succeeds or not, his furious response to the disallowed goal made one thing abundantly clear: even after 15 years of history, Cristiano Ronaldo is still chasing perfection.